Florence, SC – Michael Greene, a former employee of A&D Environmental, Inc., was sentenced in October 2019 for illegally dumping hazardous landfill runoff into a South Carolina waterway. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of deliberate discharges designed to circumvent environmental regulations and proper waste disposal procedures.
Greene operated a large tanker truck, capable of hauling nearly 6,000 gallons, and was responsible for transporting leachate – the contaminated liquid that percolates through landfills – from a local facility to the Florence Wastewater Management Facility. However, between May and July of 2017, Greene repeatedly bypassed the treatment plant, instead opting to discharge the leachate directly into Leesburg Branch Creek. This act not only violated federal law but also posed a significant threat to the creek’s ecosystem and potentially to public health.
EPA analysis of samples collected from Leesburg Branch Creek confirmed the presence of a cocktail of dangerous pollutants in the illegally discharged leachate. These included lead, mercury, selenium, cadmium, and chromium – all known toxins with potentially devastating effects on aquatic life and, if ingested, on humans. The deliberate nature of these discharges, intended to avoid the costs and logistical challenges of proper disposal, prompted a full-scale federal investigation.
Legal Ramifications
Greene pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), which prohibits the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters without a permit. The violation carries significant penalties under federal law. As a result of his guilty plea, Greene was sentenced to three months of incarceration, followed by a year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a substantial fine of $25,000.
A&D Environmental, Inc. Not Charged
While Greene was the individual directly responsible for the illegal discharges, the role of A&D Environmental, Inc. in this incident remains unclear. Federal investigators have not publicly indicated whether the company itself will face charges related to the case. GrimyTimes has reached out to the EPA for comment regarding potential further investigation into A&D Environmental, Inc.’s oversight and compliance procedures, but has not yet received a response.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Michael Greene
- Location: Leesburg Branch Creek, South Carolina
- Dates of Offense: May – July 2017
- Crime: Illegal discharge of hazardous landfill leachate
- Pollutants: Lead, mercury, selenium, cadmium, chromium
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Clean Water Act
- Sentence: 3 months incarceration, 1 year supervised release, $25,000 fine
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of environmental regulations and the severe consequences faced by those who choose to disregard them. The EPA continues to prioritize the enforcement of environmental laws to protect our nation’s waterways and the communities that depend on them.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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